forsmant

Many of you on this forum are owners of companies and I was wondering what is the best way to ask for a raise? When is the best time to ask and any other information you can provide.

I have worked for this general contractor of remodeling for nearly six years and I feel that I am worth more than I get paid. At the beginning of this year the whole company took a ten percent pay cut because of some bad financial decisions and low volume. This cut took me back to less than what I was making three years ago. It has really left me strapped to pay my bills.

I have never asked the boss for a raise or any other favor other than to borrow a tool here and there. I am a decent carpenter and often find myself telling more seasoned carpenters how to do things or what is actually going to be done.

There is one particular carpenter on the crew that makes 5.50$ more than me that I taught how to calculate stairs, rafter lengths, and various other tasks that he should already know. I also know a lot more about the building code than this particular carpenter. I am a versatile re modeler who knows how to tile, durock, light plumbing and electrical, drywall and many other things. Now it may sound like I am complaining but I am barely making it raising my family and not many other people are hiring right now. I just want some advice on how to approach the boss.

bwalley

Lay your case out like you are doing here, it may help to write it down so you can go over it with him and leave it with him.

Don't threaten to leave, or let him think you are going to leave, otherwise you may get the boot.

If you do decide to leave, just leave, do not give ultimatums, as they never work.

Warren

Never bring up what someone else is making. We know that you guys know what each other makes and we have to pay accordingly but, this might be a good friend of the boss perhaps??

My advice is during a productive day, when you are working with the big cheese, tell him you need to talk to him after work. He will know that you are going to ask for a raise and he can prepare himself as well. After work, lay out your case and don't forget to be specific on how much of a raise you would like. Years ago, as an employee, I did it exactly like this one time. I had a killer day, working with the boss, showcasing my skills building stairs and laying out some difficult rafters that even he couldn't do. I asked for the raise, but I forgot to ask for a specific amount. I ended up with 25 cents!! What an insult. The next day I applied for other work, accepted a new job, and then was given a proper raise and a company vehicle.

SLSTech

I have to agree with BWalley & Warren, make sure your respectful & if they say no - keep doing your best work & look elsewhere

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forsmant

Well the boss is strictly an office guy. I rarely get to see him on the job sites unless it is to meet with the homeowners or to go over a specific part of the project. I will have to meet him at the office.

I am thinking of asking for $3.50 more an hour which would be only $2 more than what I was getting last year. On the plus side we do have a busy few months ahead of us. That is probably asking for too much but if that other carpenter makes $5.50 more than me and my skills and knowledge are equal to or greater, I feel I am worth it.

J F

Do you have any idea why the guy that you know so much more than, is making $5.50 an hour more than you? Or a good guess?

Maybe's he's just blowing smoke up your arse, knowing when you go and demand a raise and get fired, then he can ask for a raise.

forsmant

I have no reason to believe the coworker is being dishonest. The reason he makes more probably has to be that he has subcontractor status and does not get the benefits of overtime, vacation, health care etc. He only works for our company, though.


Oh Yeah, overtime is not allowed as of the beginning of this year because of said problems. That's where it hurts the most.

mics_54

I suggest asking the boss, at the right time, when or if he was planning to bump your pay. Bosses are really smart and have a plan for their business. Tell him your wife wants to know when you can have a raise...maybe his wife will let him give you one. J/K don't say that! But do ask him what the customary advancement terms are and how you can meet them. Surely a boss as intelligent and professional as he would have a employee compensation schedule. Omaha looks busy so you are fortunate there otherwise I would wait. I think the best way to get a raise is to make your boss lots of money!

D.Foster

Well then he must carry his own insurances then right?? Thats maybe why he makes the 5.50 more,.. which isn't alot if he has to carry liability and comp.

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J F

And he's going to be paying in double for s.s....

J F

You may want to re-think your strategy here.

forsmant

I am not sure how they worked that all out and I think he is worth evey penny he gets. I think I am worth more than I get. I have to pay taxes as well.

Mike Finley

I think you'll get an eye opener from your boss and learn a few things.

Personally I have no problems when an employee asks for a raise. But you better be ready to show me how you're going to earn it. If your only though it I already earn it. Good luck.

Somebody wants a raise I think that's a good thing it shows they have ambition. Now the next step is we are going to sit down and plot out what you are offering for the raise. What am I going to get? Where are you going to grow, where are you going to offer the company more? We will figure this out and set some goals and see if you can work to them.

But if you're going to your boss because XYZ earns more... you might find out something about yourself that your boss hasn't told you and has been waiting for you to fix.

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mics_54

Oh crap I didnt even see that...dude...you cant even compare the two...and if some one has to explain why then you aren't even thinking. A sub making 5.50 more than you is makeing LESS money than you. He isnt covered by comp. He pays 30% self employment tax. He has not employer contributions to his payroll. And NO UNEMPLOYMENT BENIFITS Sheesh.

forsmant

Perhaps thats what I need. With the raise I will be able to afford a second vehicle for my family, a truck. Which has great value to a remodeling company. It opens all sorts of possibilities for me to elp the company more. As of now the kia ain't pulling any extra weight. Plus I have to share it with the wife. Now I am complaining. I digress, sad. Thanks for the advice.

J F

Yeah, but if you're being 1099'd you pay both employee and employer parts of the fica tax...that was my point.

I'd guess the other guy probably supplies some tools that you are not required to as well.

And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with asking about a raise, but a big part of your op was about how much more the other guy was making, and you need to understand what goes along with being a sub, as opposed to an employee, before you start thinking he's making a bunch more than you...you may end up making more than he does after all is said and done.

forsmant

I am not sure that he is required to carry insurance if he only works for our company. There may be some wacky accounting, but yeah I did not think about all his other expenses so maybe he is not making a lot more than me. That is a good point to consider.

forsmant

He supplies nothing more than I do except an Ford suv compared to a KIA car. I guess I should learn more about all the expenses he has to pay before I go complaining to the boss.

mmike032

why is the sub getting paid by the hour anyway?
and he only works for the same company as you...
smells fishy

Scribbles

You can’t compare sub vs. employee, I still sub for my old boss when I am slow and he is buried. I bill twice what he pays his employees. Your labor burden is at least 10$ an hour. So that sub is making 5$ an hour less than you.

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